Frequently Asked Questions

Restricted Items

Due to 's import regulations, some products may not be available for purchase. If a product is restricted to , this will be noted in the cart along with instructions to remove that product before you’ll be able to complete your purchase. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.

While the Vitacost team works hard to prevent products from shipping to countries where ingredients are problematic or prohibited, we cannot guarantee that our restriction information is always up to date. As these regulations change constantly, we strongly recommend that you check with your local authorities for information on regulations that may affect your ability to receive your order.

Unfortunately, we cannot issue a refund of any kind for orders seized or destroyed by Customs unless the order is returned back to our warehouse in an undamaged and resalable condition. Refunds issued will be for the cost of the merchandise only; shipping costs will not be reimbursed.

In addition to prohibited items, we are unable to ship free samples and all products requiring cold packs internationally.

We welcome your feedback. If you find a product that needs to be restricted or allowed to ship to , please contact us with the product name and a link to the relevant regulatory agency policy from your local authority’s website. We’ll inspect the issue immediately and update our restrictions accordingly.

International Payment Methods

If you experience difficulties using your credit or debit card to make an international purchase, please first contact your bank to ensure that your card has been enabled for international purchases. This will nearly always fix your issue. Please note that all prices are listed in USD unless otherwise noted.

International Shipping Options

We work hard to get great shipping rates from our couriers so we can pass the savings on to you. Shipping costs for international packages are based on the weight and size of your order. Simply place items in your cart, select your country and click on “calculate” to see your options. You’ll be given all shipping options and exact costs during the checkout process, after you have selected the delivery address for your order. Delivery time frames are estimates only and do not take into account weekends, holidays, or processing and packing (please allow 12-24 hours for packing). Please allow your order time to pass through customs procedures; an international order will not be considered ‘lost’ until 60 days from the date of shipment. We are unable to process claims until the 60 day period has passed. Although delivery estimates may vary depending on your country, basic information on your options is below:

DHL Global

Estimated delivery in 7 to 35 business days

Flat Rate of $14.99 up to 3.60lbs

Tracking is not available

Duties/taxes due at the time of delivery

* An international order will not be considered ‘lost’ until 60 days from the date of shipment. We are unable to process claims until the 60 day period has passed (See FAQ under “Package loss”).

International Returns Policy

Because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) places numerous strict regulations upon the delivery of consumable items into the country, Vitacost.com may not be able to process returns on international orders. If you received the wrong item or the product appears defective, please contact Customer Service at customersupport@vitacost.com; we will review each circumstance on a case-by-case basis to determine if a return can be processed.

3rd Party Shipping Companies /Freight Forwarders

Using international freight forwarders or 3rd party shipping companies can be a convenient way to receive orders to your foreign address. However, please know that if you elect to use this type of service, we cannot issue you a refund of any kind or accept any return of any order handled by any outside courier. We cannot be held responsible for any damage or loss that occurs due to handling of your order by an outside courier. If you experience any kind of damage or loss when using this type of service, please contact the 3rd party company for remedy.

Fraud

Don't even think about it. Seriously. Our fraud team will catch you, and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. Vitacost.com actively prosecutes fraudulent behavior at every opportunity. If you feel that your account has been inaccurately marked as fraudulent, please contact us immediately and we’ll work quickly to sort it out.

Errors in Address

If you make an address error on your order, please note that we cannot change the delivery address after an order has been submitted. Please know that we work directly with our shippers to help resolve address issues where possible, but we cannot be held responsible for any delays, fees, or other delivery issues if you've made an error in the shipping information on your order. If such an error causes an order to be rejected, lost, or destroyed, we cannot issue a refund or replacement of any kind. If the error causes the order to be sent back to us, you may be responsible for return shipping fees, and we'll only be able to refund you for the cost of merchandise only.

Violation of laws

Please familiarize yourself with your country's import restrictions before ordering. We cannot be held responsible for any delays, fees, fines, or penalties incurred by your order due to a violation of law. Items sold at Vitacost.com are intended for personal use.

Customer Refusal

Unfortunately, we cannot issue a refund of any kind for orders seized, damaged, or destroyed by Customs unless the order is returned back to our warehouse in undamaged and resalable condition. In that event, refunds issued will be for the cost of the merchandise only; shipping costs will not be reimbursed. Please note that if the cost to return a rejected package to our warehouse exceeds the value of the order, we'll instruct the courier to destroy the package and we'll be unable to issue a refund of any kind.

Customs Seizure

Unfortunately, we cannot issue a refund of any kind for orders seized, damaged, or destroyed by Customs unless the order is returned back to our warehouse in undamaged and resalable condition. In that event, refunds issued will be for the cost of the merchandise only; shipping costs will not be reimbursed. Please note that if the cost to return a rejected package to our warehouse exceeds the value of the order, we'll instruct the courier to destroy the package and we'll be unable to issue a refund of any kind.

Package loss

Although it is rare for international orders to get lost, please be aware that it can happen. International orders may take up to 60 days to clear customs, depending upon delivery method and government procedures. An international order will not be considered “lost” until 60 days have elapsed from the date of shipment. We are unable to process claims until this 60-day period has passed. Refunds issued will be for the cost of the merchandise only; shipping costs will not be reimbursed. Please note that we do not offer replacements or store credits. In the event that your order has been lost, you must report it as lost to us within 90 days of date of purchase. Please contact us by email, or live chat, 7 days a week, to discuss your options. For information on how to contact us, please click here.

Digital purchases

Unfortunately, we cannot issue refunds on digital purchases or opened DVD packages. Please contact customer service if you have a problem with a digital purchase. For information on how to contact us, please click here.

Disclaimer

Vitacost.com cannot be held responsible for any laws or regulations that result in Customs applying additional cost to your order, whether tax or duties, nor any related delivery delays or seized products. However, please note that the vast majority of international shipments do not experience problems or delays, and our customers are very rarely assessed additional fees. In the event additional fees are assessed to your order, your local Customs authority will contact you directly. By ordering from Vitacost.com, you agree to our policies above. Vitacost.com reserves the right to change these policies at any time, and we also retain the right to refuse service to any customer at our sole discretion.

The products and the claims made about specific products on or through this site have not been evaluated by Vitacost.com or the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.

Not responsible for typographical errors or misprints. Product availability, pricing, and promotions are subject to change without notice.